History

The winds of change blew through Peterhead at the start of the 1960s. After much debate, it was agreed that a consolidation was in order and the amalgamation of the South and East churches took place. The newly formed Parish of St Andrew’s was created and the East church became St Andrew’s Parish church. The elders of both Kirk sessions merged to become the Kirk session of St Andrew’s and the East Manse became the manse of the Minister.

On the 21st of November 1961, the presbytery of Deer inducted the Rev David S.A. Grieve, MA, BD., to the church of the Parish of St Andrew’s.Around this time, St Andrew’s continued to grow and develop its own individual style with addition of a new pulpit and cross, as well as a pulpit fall, baptismal font and lectern. On the 31st of December 1967, Mr Grieve left his charge and moved to Kirkcaldy and on the 15th of January 1968.

The Kirk session was informed that following the Rev William H Brown’s preaching as sole nominee, the congregation had voted in favour of calling him to be the Minister.Rev. Brown completed some 22 years of committed ministry at St Andrew’s. A well-respected man in the community, Mr Brown was forced to retire on the grounds of ill health in august 1990.

In June 1991, the Rev William B Dunlop, LLB., BD was inducted and was Minister at St Andrew’s until forced by ill health to demit on 30th of September 1995. A gifted preacher, Mr. Dunlop and his wife and family still have an active connection with our church.

A vacancy committee was formed and soon were able to call a sole nominee, the Rev David Pitkeathly, LLB, BD., from Fetteresso church where he was an assistant. Mr Pitkeathly was ordained and inducted at St Andrew’s on the 3rd of April 1996. With youth on his side, Mr. Pitkeathly has proved to be a hard worker in the Parish and served the Church well until June 2007 when he left to become minster of the Border Kirk in Carlisle.

A vacancy committee was formed and after three years the Rev Dr Abi Ngunga was inducted as our minister on the 14th of January 2011. Abi and his wife Elisee and children Pistise, Elpis and Isaac are from DRCongo and they came to Scotland in 2006 when Abi began his studies at Aberdeen University. After gaining a PhD in Old Testament Hebrew Abi completed 12 months of familiarisation placement with the Church of Scotland at Ferryhill church in Aberdeen. Abi came to us at St Andrew’s with a wealth of experience in Bible-based preaching, teaching, discipleship, missions, pastoral care and prayer ministry in various settings. We were fortunate to have a minister who has exceptional preaching skills and a passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Abi moved to Ayr in August 2014.